Virgil Van Dijk has assured critics he has no struggles with weight – either his own or that created by the transfer fee following his big-money move to Liverpool.


The Holland international has endured a mixed start since becoming Liverpool’s record £75million signing in January.

At times he has looked commanding, yet he was poor in the FA Cup against West Brom, dropped for the trip to Huddersfield, then gave away a last-minute penalty with a clumsy challenge on Erik Lamela against Spurs on Sunday.

In addition, Van Dijk has had to field questions about his weight and training regime after Jamie Carragher suggested he did not keep himself fit enough during the protracted transfer from Southampton.

But Van Dijk moved to assure Liverpool fans they will see a return on their investment in time and urged them to be patient while he gets up to speed.

“I have been out for eight months – last January until September I didn’t play at Premier League level,” he said.

“It is not easy to come back, especially when I have made such a big step as now with all the eyes on me and they look at every small detail.

“But I am just focusing on the team and myself. Other people will talk and have their opinions. There is nothing I can do about that. I will just try and enjoy my game and enjoy being here and that is what I am definitely doing.”

Carragher claimed Van Dijk had “not hit the ground running” adding the defender “needs to get fit and lose a bit of weight – he actually looks too big”.

In response Van Dijk has invited the former player to pop down to the home dressing room next time he is at Anfield.

“Then he can see if I need to lose some weight,” he said.

“I don’t think I do.”

The weight of the transfer fee is not a problem, either.

“It is pretty easy for me and I am pretty calm on that,” said van Dijk.

“You are always going to have that [pressure and scrutiny] but the most important thing is what happens here with the people who care about the team.

“Other people around – fans of other clubs, pundits – they can have their opinions, but it doesn’t really bother me.”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp conceded last week their high-pressing style is different to what van Dijk was used to at either Southampton or Holland, and both men admit grooving a new style of defending is going to take some time.

“The football we play, the pressing, the different options with players – it is totally different,” said van Dijk.

“You need time to get used to everything I am working on it every day together with the team. I want to improve and get the maximum out of myself.”


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